Interspecific tree named: ‘Early Dapple’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct interspecific tree [(Plum×Plumcot)×(Apricot×(Plum×Plumcot)]; the characteristics of the tree and its fruit are with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) and grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., using standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consists of the following combination of desirable features: 
     1. Heavy and regular production of fruit. 
     2. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality. 
     3. Fruit with and interesting and attractive mottled skin color. 
     4. Vigorous upright tree growth. 
     5. Fruit with high Brix (soluble solids) average 16.4°.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program, including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which almonds, apples, apricots,cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines and interspecifics are exemplary.It is against this background of our activities that the present varietyof interspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us inour experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of apricot, plum and interspecific trees,which are known to us and mentioned herein, ‘Patterson’ Apricot (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 2,877), ‘Red Beaut’ Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539) andthe Interspecific tree ‘Flavor Supreme’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,763).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of interspecific tree[(Plum×Plumcot)×(Apricot×(Plum×Plumcot)] was developed by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., as a first generationcross between proprietary lines of immediate parents, 369LD348 and352LC74. The parentage of the maternal parent 369LD348 consists ofPrunus salicina combined with Prunus salicina crossed with Prunusarmeniaca and has in its ancestry ‘Red Beaut’ Plum. The pollen parent352LC74 consists of Prunus armeniaca combined with Prunus salicinacrossed with Prunus armeniaca and has in its ancestry ‘Patterson’Apricot and Interspecific ‘Flavor Supreme’. A large number of thesefirst generation seedlings were planted and grown on their own rootsystem, under close and careful observation, during which time one suchseedling exhibited distinct and desirable fruit characteristics and wasselected in 1996 for asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction was performed in 1996 of the new interspecific treeby budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by usin our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows thatall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of interspecific tree is medium to large insize, vigorous, upright growth, and is a regular and productive bearerof large size, firm, clingstone fruit with a mild sweet flavor and verygood eating quality. The fruit is further characterized by beingrelatively uniform throughout the tree, having firm, even ripening fleshwith good storage and shipping quality. In comparison to theInterspecific tree ‘Flavor Supreme’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,763), thefruit is larger in size, 8 to 9 days later in maturity and more uniformin shape and size throughout the tree. In comparison to ‘Red Beaut’ Plum(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539), the fruit of the new variety is larger insize, has heavier overall production, and is approximately 20 days laterin maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 5 year old trees grown on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock(non-patented), near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance withMunsell Book of Color.

Tree:

Size.—Medium to large. Usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height foreconomical harvesting of fruit.

Vigor.—Vigorous. Tree growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first growingseason. Tree pruned first dormant season and primary scaffolds areselected.

Form.—Upright. Usually pruned to vase shape.

Branching habit.—Upright. Crotch angles of approximately 30°.

Productivity.—Good. Thinning and spacing of fruit necessary.

Density.—Medium dense. Usually pruned to vase shape to provide moreuniform sunlight throughout the tree for improved fruit color andhealthy fruit spur growth.

Bearer.—Regular bearer. Adequate fruit set 3 consecutive years, noalternate bearing observed.

Fertility.—Self-sterile, pollenizer required.

Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of California. Winterchilling requirement approximately 650 hours at or below 45° F.

Trunk:

Size.—Medium to large. Average circumference of 32.9 cm measured 20.3 cmabove ground.

Texture.—Medium shaggy, increases with age of tree.

Color.—5YR 5/2 to 5YR 4/2.

Branches:

Size.—Medium. Average circumference 16.5 cm measured 86.4 cm aboveground. Crotch angle approximately 30°, increases with heavy crop load.

Texture.—New growth smooth, older growth medium rough.

Lenticels.—Small. Average number of 23 in 25.8 square cm surface.Average length 2.4 mm. Average width 1.05 mm. Color varies from 7.5YR6/8 to 7.5YR 6/10.

Color.—New growth varies from 2.5GY 7/10 to 2.5GY 7/12. Older growth10YR 5/8. Color darkens with age of growth.

Leaves:

Size.—Medium. Average length 80.2 mm. Average width 48.2 mm.

Form.—Oblanceolate. Slightly folded upward.

Margin.—Doubly serrate.

Thickness.—Medium.

Surface.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slightly indented over leafveins, glabrous. Lower surface relatively smooth, small ridges createdby midrib and pinnate veining, glabrous.

Petiole.—Medium. Average length 17.5 mm. Average width 1.6 mm. Color2.5R 7/8 to 5Y 8.5/6. Varies with exposure to direct sunlight.

Glands.—Both reniform and globose on majority of leaves. Number variesfrom 2 to 4, average number 3. Size — 1.2 mm in length. Color 10R 5/4.Located on upper portion of petiole and base of leaf blade.

Color.—Upper surface 10Y 4/2 to 10Y 4/6. Lower surface 2.5GY 4/4 to2.5GY 4/6.

Flower buds:

Size.—Medium. Average length 6.8 mm. Average diameter 4 mm.

Form.—Plump, free, conical, becoming elongated as bud matures.

Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.

Pubescence.—Wanting.

Color.—N 9/0.5.

Pedicel.—Medium to large. Average length 10.4 mm. Average width 0.53 mm.

Number of buds per spur.—Varies from 4 to 19, average 10.

Flowers:

Size.—Small to medium. Average height 11.9 mm. Average diameter 19.7 mm.

Petals.—Number 5, alternately positioned to sepals. Shape — obovate.Average length 9.4 mm. Average width 5.5 mm. Surface edges slightlycupped. Margin — entire. Color N9/.5.

Sepals.—Number 5, alternately arranged to petals. Shape — ovate, apexacute. Upper and lower surface glabrous. Average length 2.7 mm. Averagewidth 2.3 mm. Color — upper surface 2.5GY 6/6, lower surface 2.5GY 6/10.

Stamens.—Number varies from 31 to 34, average number 32. Averagefilament length 5.3 mm. Filament color 10Y 9/2. Anther color 2.5Y8.5/10.

Aroma.—Slight.

Pollen.—Present, but not strong. Self-sterile, pollenizer required.Color 2.5Y 8.5/10.

Blooming period.—Date of First bloom Feb. 28, 2001. Date of Petal FallMar. 9, 2001. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Color.—N 9/0.5.

Pedicel.—Thin and long. Average length 10.8 mm. Average width 0.6 mm.Color 2.5GY 6/8.

Number of flowers per flower bud.—Varies from 1 to 3, average 2.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.—Jun. 22, 2001.

Date of last picking.—Jun. 28, 2001. Varies slightly with climaticconditions.

Size.—Average diameter axially 65 mm. Average transversely in sutureplane 66 mm. Weight 153 grams.

Form.—Nearly globose, slightly retuse at base.

Suture.—Nearly smooth, slightly flattened. Extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.—Rounded.

Apex.—Nearly rounded. Very slight depression.

Base.—Retuse.

Cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth 3.3mm. Average breadth 9.9 mm.

Skin:

Thickness.—Medium. Tenacious to the flesh.

Surface.—Smooth.

Bloom.—Moderate amount.

Color.—Ground color varies from 10YR 7/6 to 10YR 6/8. Overspread withblotches of 7.5R 6/8 to 7.5R 5/10, leaving a random pattern of groundcolor highlighting the darker blotches.

Stem:

Size.—Average length 14.2 mm. Average width 2.1 mm, slightly enlarged atpoint of fruit attachment.

Color.—2.5GY 5/6 to 2.5GY 5/8.

Flesh:

Ripens.—Evenly.

Texture.—Meaty to slight give in flesh firmness.

Fibers.—Few, small, tender.

Aroma.—Slight.

Amydgalin.—Undetected.

Eating quality.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar. Brix16.4°, varies with number of fruit per tree and climatic conditions.

Juice.—Moderate amount, sweet, enhances flavor.

Color.—Varies from 5R 4/10 to 5R 6/10. Pit cavity 7.5R 3/12 to 7.5R4/12. Color deepens with maturity.

Stone:

Type.—Clingstone.

Size.—Medium to large. Average length 26.1 mm. Average width 17 mm.Average thickness 10.2 mm.

Form.—Obovate.

Base.—Varies from straight to rounded.

Apex.—Acute.

Surface.—One long groove on each side of suture. Small, short, narrowridges extending from base about ⅓ the distance of the stone towardapex, pitted very slightly throughout.

Sides.—Usually unequal, extending further from center plane on sutureside.

Ridges.—Small, short, narrow ridges extending from base toward apex.

Tendency to split.—None.

Color.—7.5YR 8/6 when dry.

Kernal:

Form.—Oblong, rounded at base, acute at apex.

Taste.—Bitter.

Viable.—Yes, embryo developed.

Size.—Average length 15.4 mm. Average width 10.9 mm. Average breadth 5.1mm.

Skin color.—5YR 6/8.

Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Fair to good, held fruit for 10 days at 38° to 42° F.without shriveling, internal flesh break down, or loss of eatingquality.

Shipping quality: Good, picking and packing trials of fruit gave minimalskin scarring or bruishing of fruit.

Plant disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing forrelative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has beendesigned. Under close observation during planting, growing, andharvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions nearModesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance orsusceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection observedduring indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal fungus,bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminatedfrom our breeding program.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its mediumto large size, vigorous upright growth and a productive and regularbearer of large clingstone fruit with good eating quality; and incomparison to the Interspecific ‘Flavor Supreme’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.6,763), the fruit is larger, more uniform in size and 8 to 9 days laterin maturity.